Temperatures will plunge as low as -14C as an icy blast from Scandinavia grips the UK, with four inches of snow expected to arrive today.

Some parts, including the north-east, face up to 12 inches of snow in 72 hours.

RAC bosses are predicting travel chaos with more than 50,000 vehicle breakdowns over two days.

And the AA has warned that 75% of drivers are not prepared. But transport bosses say they are ready for the ­onslaught, with local councils and airport authorities insisting there won’t be a repeat of the winter of 2009-10 when roads, railways and airports ground to a halt.

Peter Box, of the Local Government Agency’s transport board, said: “Councils are as well-prepared as they’ve ever been to keep traffic moving as freezing temperatures and snow close in.”

The Highways Agency said: “We have a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art winter vehicles on standby.”

And a Gatwick airport spokesman added: ­“We have invested over £8million in our snow kit which has ­allowed us to more than double our snow vehicle fleet from 47 vehicles to 98.”

Forecasters say the freeze will last for two weeks.

Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said: “We will see wider parts of the UK affected than last month and last February.

“Once snow is on the ground, it will not melt as temperatures will be so low, with lows down to -14C possible next week.”

Sainsbury’s reported rocketing sales of knitwear, up 40% on a week, as well as a 25% increase in soup and vitamins.

The Department of Health issued a cold weather alert from 6am today, ordering health staff to prepare to check up on the elderly, ill and vulnerable.

Met Office forecaster ­Sarah Holland said: “Temperatures could be down to -8C in the countryside on Sunday night.